Abducted pakistanis: Pirates extend deadline for ransom

Somali pirates, who have abducted four Pakistani men, have extended their deadline for ransom to 15 days. Previously the pirates had said the money should be given in two days. The shipping company, employer of the four kidnapped, had earlier offered one million dollars, while an international NGO offered to pay $500,000 for the release. In a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping, the Ports and Shipping secretary said the government is in touch with the captain’s family and is doing everything it can for their release. However, the captain’s family says no one is helping them and has launched a campaign to collect money.


Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2011.